Author: Charlie Garrett

Medal of Honor heroes from WWII, state Capitol, Texas.

Thursday, 7 July 2022

The place in the Scripture which he read was this:
“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He opened not His mouth. Acts 8:32

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

It was seen that the Ethiopian eunuch did not understand what he was reading, and he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. Now, Luke’s next words begin with, “The place in the Scripture which he read was this.”

The verb is imperfect and should read, “The place in the Scripture which he was reading was this.” The word translated as “place” is only found here in the Bible, perioché. It signifies the contents of a passage. Today, we might say, “the chapter of Isaiah,” or something similar. This allows us to know the section, portion, or particular area that is specifically set apart in one way or another. With Philip next to him, the reading from Isaiah in the particular section is cited –

“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.”

This section is Isaiah 53. The exact verses are 7 and 8. The words of this verse in Acts are from the Greek translation of Isaiah 53:7. Everything in the chapter was clearly understood to be a reference to the coming Messiah. Only after Christ came and fulfilled the words so perfectly did the leaders of Israel decide to obscure or change the intent from this messianic understanding.

As for the content, the words, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter,” signify willing compliance and even innocence as if it is the right thing to do. In essence, “This is where My Master is leading Me, and so I will not question His direction.”

The next words, “And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,” indicate the calm nature of the lamb. It will not resist the master’s manipulation of its body as its hair is cut away. Likewise, Christ did not resist as He was mocked, beaten, scourged, and crucified. He willingly submitted Himself to those appointed over Him and to the will of the Father who had sent Him.

And the words, “So He opened not His mouth,” highlight His submission even more. Not only did He not struggle against the physical attacks that He suffered, but He silently endured those things as well, even when false accusations had been leveled against Him. As it says, for example, in Matthew 27 –

“Then Pilate said to Him, ‘Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?’ ¹⁴ But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.” Matthew 27:13, 14

In all ways, He perfectly fulfilled the prophecy that anticipated His actions.

Life application: For the most part, Isaiah 53 is wholly unknown to the Jewish people. It is not read in the synagogue, and it is quickly dismissed as a metaphor for Israel if someone questions its meaning. However, almost all Jews know that the basis for their national identity goes back to the Old Testament Scriptures, even if they don’t have an idea of what they say. And most Jewish people know that these Scriptures go back to antiquity.

Further, there are certain names in Scripture that are well known and recognized, such as Moses, David, and Isaiah. Because this is true, using the words of Isaiah without identifying who wrote them is actually a good way of evangelizing Jews. If you ask a Jew, “Can I read you something and you tell me who it is talking about?”, most people will say, “Sure.” We all love to prove how smart we are.

And so, if you read Isaiah 52:12-53:13 out loud to a Jew, almost always they will say, “That is speaking about Jesus.” It would be the exception to not hear this reply. Almost all Jews know the record of what Jesus did.

After asking them who is being described, and after hearing their reply as “Jesus,” only then would you identify who has written it, meaning Isaiah. This will cause an immediate disconnect in their previous understanding of what is going on. They know Isaiah is from their own Scriptures. They know that Isaiah predates the coming of Jesus, and they know that the words they have heard describe Jesus. With this now facing them, a wall has been broken down. From there, a more complete description of Jesus can be given and a more perfect explanation of how He fulfills all of Scripture can be presented.

Be sure to use this means of evangelism if the opportunity comes up. Jews need Jesus just as do all other people. Take advantage of what God has presented in Scripture to bring them to an understanding and appreciation of who He is and what His gospel message means.

Lord God, help us to competently and carefully present Your word to those who need to hear it. May we be ready at all times to share it with others. You have carefully provided all we need to bring people to a proper understanding of what Jesus means to them and to their relationship with You. So, help us to use it! To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

Texas floor mural. State Capitol.

Wednesday, 6 July 2022

And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:31

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, Philip asked the Ethiopian eunuch if he understood what he was reading as he read the prophet Isaiah. Luke continues now with, “And he said.”

It is the response of the eunuch to Philip, and it reveals a truth that Paul conveys concerning the speaking of tongues in 1 Corinthians 14. If someone speaks in a tongue, what good is it if the mind is not edified? The answer is, “None.” Likewise, if one reads a passage of Scripture, and if it has no reference to anything else in the mind of the reader, then the mind cannot understand what is being conveyed. As such, and because the eunuch has no reference to what he is reading, he responds, saying, “How can I, unless someone guides me?”

Vincent’s Word Studies notes that the Greek more closely reads, “For how should I be able?” He then says, “the for connecting the question with an implied negative: ‘No; for how could I understand except.’”

This now shows the reason why Philip has been called to meet with the eunuch. He is reading Scripture, and in his reading, he has no reference to understand the context of the passage. With that now possible because someone with a suitable reference is at hand, it next says, “And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.”

Rather, it properly reads, “And he invited Philip, having come up, to sit with him” (BLB). One can see Philip, while the eunuch is talking, pulling himself up into the carriage as if he is going to help out with an explanation. Once Philip is up, the eunuch grants him the honor of sitting with him, probably on his own bench. It shows a willingness on the part of the eunuch to be considerate to a traveler. At the same time, it shows a willingness in him to want to know the meaning of what he is reading.

Life application: 1 Corinthians 14 is mentioned in the commentary above. It is a passage that should be carefully studied by everyone, but the overall message is that of edification. The eunuch is reading a passage of Scripture, but his mind is not being edified because he has no understanding of the subject of the material he is reading.

As such, if the eunuch were to try to teach on the passage himself, he could make the content mean anything he wanted. But there is a context that must be maintained. Philip will provide the appropriate context so that the eunuch will clearly understand what is being conveyed. And this is just what Jesus did for the two He met on the road to Emmaus –

“Then He said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” ²⁷ And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.’” Luke 24:25-27

The overall context of the Bible is Jesus. God is attempting to wake us up to this fact as the pages of Scripture unfold. The passage that the eunuch is reading will be seen to exactingly reveal this truth. To this day, the Jews reject this. And so, when they read the passage that the eunuch is reading (which almost never occurs), their rabbis insert Israel – not Jesus – into it, claiming it is about them.

Let us carefully consider Scripture with Jesus as the main Subject. In doing this, we will not be led astray. And pray for the eyes of Israel to be opened to this truth. Until they are, they will continue to miss the most important point of everything God has done, is doing, and will do within the stream of redemptive history.

Lord God, help our minds to be understanding of what the intent of Scripture is. May we be fruitful in our comprehension of what You are conveying to us, and may we not presuppose things, inserting them into what is being conveyed. Instead, Lord, help us to draw out from the word the truth of what You are conveying to us. Amen.

Elevator doors. Texas Capitol.

Tuesday, 5 July 2022

So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” Acts 8:30

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

Philip was just instructed to go near to the eunuch’s chariot and overtake it. With that instruction, it now says, “So Philip ran to him.” There could have been any number of misgivings about approaching a chariot, especially if it was accompanied by a contingent of soldiers or guards, which is not unlikely for such travel.

But knowing that the Lord had a plan, his immediate obedience is noted. Once joined up with the chariot, it next says, “and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah.” It was the common way of reading, and it still is in many places today, meaning to read aloud. This is a memory tool, but it would also have been something the others with him could listen to as well.

The words that will be cited in the coming verses are directly from the Greek translation of the book of Isaiah. It is probable that this is the version he was reading aloud as well, because Greek was the common language throughout the Eastern part Roman Empire. With Philip recognizing what is being read, he addressed the eunuch, “and said, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’”

There is a play on words that is expressed in the question. Philip uses the words ginōskeis (to know) and anaginōskeis (to know again). Vincent’s Word Studies notes: “The play upon the words cannot be translated. The interrogative particles which begin the question indicate a doubt on Philip’s part.”

A good paraphrase might be, “Do you really understand what you are reading?” As he has just been instructed by the Spirit to join himself to the chariot, it probably seemed like an obvious question to ask.

He is an evangelist, he comes up to the chariot and hears Scripture from Isaiah the prophet being read, he is familiar with Jesus’ fulfillment of the prophecy, and he is obviously curious if this person had heard of what Jesus accomplished. With that, his words of questioning are fully understandable.

Life application: If you are pretty well versed in Scripture, and you hear someone listening to an audio Bible in their car at the gas station or in some other place, or if you see someone sitting and reading a Bible, it would be normal to strike up a conversation. If your pastor had recently preached on the passage the person is listening to or reading, your question may be similar to Philip’s, “Hey, do you know what that passage is about?”

This is as common as shingles on a roof and most people are happy to then engage in the conversation. And more, the person may just be curious about the Bible. He or she may not even have a relationship with Jesus. So don’t be afraid to start talking about what you know. Philip followed through with the instruction of the Spirit, and you should follow through with the example as it is laid out in Scripture. Don’t hesitate to engage in a discussion about the word!

What a treasure Your word is, O God! May we never lose the excitement we have about it. And, for sure, that will not happen if we stay in it and read it each day. So, Lord, prompt us to carefully attend to this wonderful treasure daily and to share our knowledge of it often! Amen.

Looking down into some chamber in Texas Capitol.

Monday, 4 July 2022

Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” Acts 8:29

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The previous words referred to the Ethiopian eunuch sitting in his chariot and reading Isaiah the prophet. Now, it says, “Then the Spirit said to Philip.”

Although it doesn’t say, “the Holy Spirit,” that should be inferred. What is surely the same Spirit will also be referred to in verse 8:39 and is there called “the Spirit of the Lord.” It is the same term used by Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:17, 18. In whatever manner the Spirit spoke to him, it was clearly understandable, saying, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”

The word translated as “overtake” means to join to. It doesn’t just mean “walk alongside,” but actually adhere to it. The Greek word itself, kollaó, comes from the word kólla, glue. Hence, it is to attach to, either literally or figuratively. In this case, he is to come alongside his carriage and grab onto it, or maybe even ask to ride along in it.

Understanding the scenario quite well, Cambridge says, “No doubt this royal treasurer had a numerous retinue, and a single traveller on a desert road would be doing what was natural in attaching himself to a train of people who were journeying in the same direction. Philip would therefore be able to approach and hear what was read without being deemed an intruder.”

Life application: To this day, and on any given day, there are innumerable claims of people being told by God to do this or do that. People claim divine revelation on hundreds of videos posted to social media every day. But these things must always be considered suspect.

First, unless the person is proclaiming the truth about God, the claim must be dismissed immediately. God is not going to validate the religious belief of a person who is not proclaiming Jesus. The innumerable visions and prophecies that fall outside of a Jesus-directed message are lies.

Next, a person (Muslim, Buddhist, etc.) who claims to have had a vision of Jesus telling him that he must come to Jesus contradicts the Bible on several levels, but most importantly God has given the church the responsibility to share this message via the word He has given. The conversion of Paul is an exception, and it is recorded in Scripture for us to know what happened and why. To assume that God would go around His word to make exceptions negates the purpose of the word He has given us.

Why people cannot find the word of God sufficient for their lives, doctrine, and instruction is hard to figure? God has carefully and meticulously detailed things in His word to show us how His word was compiled, why things happened the way they did, and to show us the fulfillment of the necessary types, patterns, and pictures that are introduced into it.

For us to look for something more actually diminishes what the Lord has done in the giving of His word. Let us not do such things. If you come across someone claiming a word from the Lord, a vision, or a prophecy on a website or video, keep going. You are wasting time that could be spent much better on something else. The Bible presents to us all we need to know concerning how things came about to give us the word. May it be considered sufficient to us!

Lord God, thank You for the precious word You have given to lead us in our lives and to keep us from error. It will have importance to us when we pick it up and learn it. And so, help us to do just that. Help us to make learning this precious treasure a true priority in our lives. Amen.

Fancy ceiling. Texas State Capitol.

Sunday, 3 July 2022

was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Acts 8:28

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The previous verse introduced the Ethiopian eunuch who had come to Jerusalem to worship. Now it says he “was returning.” Like the Queen of Sheba who came to visit Solomon (1 Kings 10), she eventually returned to her own country. So, it is now with this unnamed eunuch. He was on his way back on the desert road leading to Gaza. Luke next records, “And sitting in his chariot.”

The word harma, or chariot, is introduced here. It will be seen three times in this account in Acts, and then one more time in Revelation 9:9. It signifies a vehicle of some sort. It is unknown exactly what type of carriage he was in. It is a conveyance that could have been on wheels, or it could have been borne by men on poles, as in a palanquin.

In this case, it is most probably not a palanquin. This will be seen in a few verses. Rather, it is probably a carriage suitable for carrying several people. Regardless of the type, it was slow enough for Philip to join beside it. Next, while sitting there in his chariot, it says of the eunuch that “he was reading Isaiah the prophet.”

The common way to read was out loud, and this is what would have made the coming events possible. What is most probable is that he was reading the Greek translation of Isaiah, the LXX, or Septuagint. Greek was the lingua franca at the time and would surely have been known to someone in the courts of Candace.

And more, it is probable that in having read the Septuagint in the past, it is what brought him to want to worship in Jerusalem in the first place. Not because he was a proselyte, but because he wanted to worship the God proclaimed in their Scriptures. With this now noted, the narrative will continue to unfold in the coming verses.

Life application: The man in the chariot was a trusted member of the court of Candace. He was an approved traveler to go to worship in Jerusalem. He is noted now in the Bible as playing a key and pivotal role in fulfilling a particular pattern that is noted in the early Genesis narrative, and yet there is no record of his name.

As such, it tells us that it is not his name that is important, but who he stems from – something carefully recorded by Luke, and which must have been told to him by Philip. He is from Ethiopia. As such, he descends from the line of Ham and then through his son Cush. Ham is the son that did something perverted to his father, and because of what he did, Noah placed a curse on Ham’s son Canaan.

Along with the curse resting on Canaan, the entire line of Ham is the least favored line of the three sons of Noah because of what he did to his father. And yet, we are seeing an account of an Ethiopian becoming the center of the biblical narrative. But more, Moses was said to have married an Ethiopian (Numbers 12:1), and an Ethiopian eunuch was given a great note of grace from the Lord in Jeremiah 38.

God can work through any supposed limitation we possess. He did it with the Canaanite Rahab the harlot (two strikes against her), he did it through a sketchy intermarriage between Solomon and a woman of Ammon, bringing those who issue from her into the kingly line, and so on.

The point is, that whatever limitation you think might be resting upon you, God can still use you for His purposes and His glory. Don’t feel that because the whole world doesn’t know your name that you are somehow unimportant. God does. And with that, and if you are in Christ, you are a most important part of what He is doing in the world. Be confident of this.

Lord God, thank You that our names are known to You, and that we each have a part to offer in Your eternal home where the righteous will dwell. Thank You that because of Jesus this is possible. Yes, thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.